Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Purdue begins work to advance science of reading with $1.5M grant

This article on the science of reading originally appeared on Purdue University’s site and is reposted here with permission.

Key points:

Purdue University has begun work to improve the reading abilities of K-12 students in Indiana by strengthening teacher preparation using science-based methods. The work is funded in part by a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded to Purdue in August as part of Lilly Endowment’s Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana initiative, which launched in 2022.…Read More

As states adopt science of reading, one group calls for better teacher training, curriculum

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

Wisconsin is creating a new literacy office and hiring reading coaches. Ohio is dedicating millions to a curriculum overhaul. Indiana is requiring new teacher training.

Dozens of states are moving to align their teaching practices with the science of reading, a body of research on how children learn that emphasizes explicit phonics instruction alongside helping students build vocabulary and knowledge about the world. But a national policy group says many states still have significant work to do to ensure strong reading instruction.…Read More

An alarming number of educators are jumping ship

Key points:

While finding their work meaningful, a majority of education professionals experience burnout above the national average, according to a recent study. In fact, more than 20 percent plan to switch to a related field and more than 30 percent look to change careers altogether. 

Soliant, a healthcare and educational staffing company, published the report to help the industry better understand and address educator burnout, staffing challenges, and opportunities facing U.S. schools. …Read More

The 5 best ways to celebrate CTE Month 2024

This post on CTE Month originally appeared on iCEV’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

Key points:

As a career and technical education (CTE) teacher, you know the importance of preparing students for the workforce–no matter which CTE career cluster or pathway they follow.…Read More

VHS Learning Students Continue to Excel Academically with 91% Pass Rate 

Boston – Although  reports reveal that U.S. students’ general academic performance still trails behind pre-pandemic rates, students taking  VHS Learning’s high-quality, teacher-led online classes have maintained a consistent high level of achievement before, during, and after the pandemic. During the 2022-23 academic year, 91% of students who completed their VHS Learning’s online course did so with a passing grade. This is the fourth consecutive year that VHS Learning students have attained an average pass rate of 91%. 

Students who took VHS Learning courses in the summer for credit recovery surpassed last year’s performance. In 2023, those students who previously failed a course and retook it in the summer with VHS Learning had an average pass rate of 80%, up from 75% in 2022. Students must achieve a final grade of 60 or higher to pass their courses.

In the 27 years that VHS Learning has been providing supplemental online high school classes, it has earned a reputation for its high standard of educational quality that keeps schools and students coming back. In the 2022-2023 academic year, VHS Learning had 16,927 course enrollments by students from more than 520 partner schools. Last year, 92% of schools previously utilizing the program continued their participation into the 2022-2023 school year. Further,90% of administrators and 90% of site coordinators who manage the VHS Learning program at their schoolsaid they were satisfied or very satisfied with their school’s VHS Learning experience.…Read More

3 ways to build engagement in STEM classrooms

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in awe of science, space, and the world around us. And, after watching Star Wars and Star Trek for the first time, I was hooked. I decided to become a teacher in part to share this passion–my dad, who taught chemistry at Phoenix Community College for 33 years, was my inspiration.

While many of my physics and astrophysics students at Chaparral High School here in Scottsdale Unified School District are already science enthusiasts, I understand how important it is to continue to find new ways to keep them inspired and engaged. The same is true—and arguably more important—for students who are less interested in science and STEM fields. Engagement, after all, is a critical contributing factor to students pursuing a STEM pathway in college and in the workforce.…Read More

How this middle school teacher gets students to challenge themselves in math

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

When Salvador Quijada, a seventh and eighth grade math teacher at Philip’s Academy Charter School, thinks back on his own journey as a mathematician, he gives credit to one high school math teacher who pushed him to take on AP calculus. Quijada said his teacher’s belief that he could succeed allowed him to challenge himself in ways he might not have otherwise considered.

Now, Quijada channels that positivity into his lessons. Last year, he approached Philip’s principal, Yasmeen Sampson, and asked to pilot a new, accelerated program to help prepare more students for Algebra 1.…Read More

Promoting music education beyond the classroom

Key points:

At its core, music is about self-expression and creativity. Music education also gives students a chance to reflect on their inner thoughts and helps struggling children build their confidence in a safe space.

When used correctly, music can even uplift entire communities and help folks overcome hardships. Inspirational scores make a real difference to individuals who are down on their luck and lonely students can bond around a shared love of music.…Read More